Biology

Content

Assessment

Weighting

Availability

Biology Unit 1: Living Processes and Biodiversity

An externally assessed written examination consisting of a number of compulsory structured questions that provide opportunities for short answers, extended writing and calculations Foundation and Higher Tiers: 1 hour

11%

Every November, February and Summer (beginning in November 2011)

Biology Unit 2: Body Systems, Genetics, Micro-organisms and Health

An externally assessed written examination consisting of a number of compulsory structured questions that provide opportunities for short answers, extended writing and calculations Foundation and Higher Tiers: 1 hour 15 mins

14%

Summer only (beginning in 2013)

Practical Skills Unit

Controlled assessment Students complete two controlled assessment tasks from a choice of six. The two tasks must come from different subject areas within the specification. (See Section 3 for details.) Teachers mark the task and we moderate the results.

25%

From September (beginning in 2011) (submitted every May beginning 2013)

At least 40 percent of the assessment (based on unit weightings) must be taken at the end of the course as terminal assessment.